Is the 67i the best handheld GPS available?

Yes, the 67i is considered the best handheld GPS currently on the market.

What are the differences between the 67i and the 66i?

The 67i is an upgraded version of the 66i with a longer battery life and improved GPS capabilities.

How long is the battery life of the 67i?

The battery life of the 67i varies depending on usage, but it can last up to 140 hours with 10-minute tracking intervals and around 200 hours in GPS-only mode.

Is the 67i suitable for long hiking trips?

Yes, the 67i is ideal for long hiking trips, especially for through hikers who need extended battery life and GPS tracking capabilities.

How accurate is the positioning performance of the 67i?

The positioning performance of the 67i is highly accurate, providing precise locations even in challenging conditions like canyons or heavy canopy.

What are the changes in the user interface of the 67i?

The user interface of the 67i is similar to previous models, with minor tweaks and additions such as a map layers option and a new button wake-up feature.

Should I upgrade to the 67i if I already have a 66i?

If the 66i meets your needs and you are satisfied with its performance, upgrading to the 67i is not necessary. However, if you require better GPX tracks in challenging environments, the 67i is recommended.

What is the recommended alternative for fair-weather hikers?

For fair-weather hikers who prefer using a smartphone for navigation, a satellite communicator like the inReach Mini is a suitable choice.

What is the author's preferred setup for hiking?

The author recommends using an epics or Phoenix wearable device along with an inReach Mini for navigation, along with a paper map as a backup.

How can I support the channel and independent reviews?

You can support the channel by giving a thumbs up on the video and subscribing. Supporting the channel allows for independent reviews and prevents reliance on sponsorships.

Garmin inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Introduction: So, I've been using the Garmin GPSMAP 67i for a solid two months now during my time out on the trails and it's the best handheld GPS out there right now. But bis it the right GPS for you?

In this Guide:

Battery Life
GPS Performance
Worth Noting
Recommendations

Quick Links:
Amazon Price - REI Price -My Dec 2024 Gear

If you are upgrading from another inReach device, DO NOT opt into check-ins.

What did Garmin Do With the 67i?

Garmin Gpsmap Review 1 — From a form-factor perspective, the GPSMAP 67i is exactly the same as the 66i, except for a new USB-C connector.

My hunch is that the 67i is like a Frankenstein device—a mix of the 66i's body and battery, but with the upgraded chipset from the Fenix 7. The specs line up, but the 67i offers a longer battery life and better GPS capabilities, making it more like a Fenix 7. Stick with me, and I'll explain more about it in a bit.

Battery Performance

Garmin Gpsmap Review 2 — There's still no battery percentage in the UI, so I recommend getting this 3rd party widget that offers detailed battery info.

There are many factors that affect how long the battery lasts. Things like having Bluetooth or Wi-Fi on, using multi GNSS and multi-band settings, recording activities, navigating routes, and even how much you zoom in and out of the map—all of it makes a difference. So, I put it to the test. With 10-minute send intervals, multi GNSS and multi-band on, and recording my hikes, I managed to get around 140 hours of battery life on average. And if you switch to GPS-only mode, you can squeeze out upwards of 200 hours. That's plenty of juice for your adventures. Plus, it charges up pretty quickly, within an hour or two depending on the charger. So, no worries about running out of battery out there.

67i Positioning Accuracy

Garmin Gpsmap Review 3 — It's not just the accuracy, which you can see here is 6 feet, but also the reliability and consistency.

When it comes to pinpointing your location, the 67i really nails it. I consistently got accuracy within six feet, even with multi-band and multi-GNSS turned on. But here's the real game-changer—it stays accurate even in tricky conditions like canyons or areas with thick tree cover. Remember those times when the GPS would go haywire and mess up your track? Well, with the 67i, that's a thing of the past; the track recordings that I'm getting are usually very close to the expected distances.

What's interesting is that the Fenix 7, Epix Gen 2, and GPSMAP 66sr all performed similarly to the 67i. If you already own one of these devices, don't expect significantly better performance from the 67i. However, where the 67i does shine is in challenging conditions like canyons, where it outperforms the 66i.

Worth Noting

Garmin Gpsmap Review 4 — Outside of the battery and positioning changes, it's pretty much the same as the GPSMAP 66i. Everything works the same, including navigation.

If you've used previous Garmin GPSMAP models, you'll feel right at home with the 67i. It hasn't changed much over the years, which is okay, although I do wish it would get some more love from Garmin. The UI is straightforward and easy to navigate. There are a few tweaks here and there, like adding a plus sign to the bottom of the screen for adding icons to the main menu and a new map layers option. But overall, it's the same ol' familiar interface. Just keep in mind that you won't find a battery percentage display unless you're plugged in. You'll need to rely on the Explore app or third-party widgets for that.

Garmin took away the USB mass storage mode and NMEA protocol, and now just offer MTP. If you're on Mac, use Android File Transfer, and you'll be good to go. Basecamp does work on Mac but you need to only have one MTP connection open at a time.

The device now also wakes by hitting any button on the front, not just the power button.

Should You Upgrade to the GPSMAP 67i?

If you're just looking for the best of the best, then yes, go for it. But if you're using a GPSMAP 66i and it's serving you well, you don't necessarily need to jump ship. A simple USB charger can give you that extra battery life you desire. However, if you're struggling with track accuracy on your 66i, the 67i is worth considering.

And for those of you with a GPSMAP 66sr, the accuracy and features won't be dramatically different. But if you want inReach capabilities, the performance of the 66sr, and more battery life, the 67i is a solid choice.

For me, I've chosen to use my Epix and a Mini 2, which is a lighter setup and has a bit more redundancy.

This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.